Severe dehydration means:
- Your mouth and eyes are extremely
dry.
- You pass little or no urine for 12 or more
hours.
- You do not feel alert, or you cannot think
clearly.
- You are too weak or dizzy to stand.
- You may
pass out.
Severe dehydration is a medical emergency and requires
emergency treatment. Call 911 or other emergency services immediately.
By the time a person becomes severely
dehydrated, there is no longer enough fluid in the body to carry enough blood
to vital organs. Shock, which is a life-threatening condition, can develop
quickly.
Last Updated:
June 30, 2009
Author:
Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Medical Review:
Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine & H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine & William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine